Questionable Comics: Sandra Lanz and Laura Graves

Questionable Comics is a series where Dan Hill surveys professionals from every corner of the comics industry about their methods and experience. Today’s first subject is Sandra Lanz, the creator behind the new Stela series House Girls.

What current projects are you working on?

I just finished work on my first creator-owned series called House Girls. It’s a five chapter sci-fi arc which I wrote and illustrated for the new digital publisher, Stela. I’ve also started working on a short “Uhura” story for a Star Trek Anthology that IDW is putting together.

Use one word to describe how you work.

Tidy.

What’s your workspace like?

I rent out a studio space in the Alberta Arts District in Portland (which is riddled with coffee shops, so the caffeine is never far). It’s a nice sized room that I share with another illustrator, and it’s where I have both my computer set-up and my traditional painting set-up. My desk, where I spend most of the day drawing, holds two monitors, my Wacom tablet, and a stack of notebooks. There’s also a couple cabinets nearby full or art supplies and old work.

What do you listen to when you work?

I spend most of my day binging on MaximumFun podcasts. If the McElroy brothers are in it: I’m listening to it! Also all podcasts with Merlin Mann <3

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

My dad always says “If you’re going to do something, do it right.” I know it’s a common saying, but I saw it in practice all the time when I was growing up. It made me really appreciate diligence and attention to detail.

A sequence from Sandra Lanz’s new Stela series House Girls

How do you get into art mode?

Oh man, I haven’t figured it out. I think when I’m in a good, healthy routine, it’s a lot easier to focus and have fun making stuff. But routines are delicate things; they’re always getting dinged up!

Is your work paper or digital based?

I’m all digital. It allows me to draw painterly, which is my sweet spot.

What’s the one thing you wish you could improve about your work?

I have a running list! Currently I want to make the spaces that my characters inhabit feel more believable. I want to get better at playing with scale and making figures feel minute, larger than life, or anything in between.

When’s the best time to work?

10am-6pm! Eight hour days like “normies” do!

Who do you consider to be inspirational creators in your field (classic and modern)?

I’m a big fan of Brandon Graham’s. He’s behind a bunch of cool fantasy and sci-fi comics getting put out by all sorts of creators you’ve never heard of. He has his finger on the pulse I think, showcasing different work and perspectives. It’s always a treat to see what he’s coming up with next. Always gets me pumped about drawing comics.

Next is Laura Graves, a talented indie artist who publishes her original series 666 Bistro and Witches Get Stiches online at her site Witchthrone.

What current projects are you working on?

I’m currently working on the second installment for my original series, 666 Bistro. Otherwise a few standalone pieces for a few gallery shows and a pin up piece for Scott Roller and Alex Delaney’s Eyes of the Marauder series.

Use one word to describe how you work.

Efficiently.

What’s your workspace like?

It’s a fire hazard.

I draw, write, watch cartoons, do my taxes, work from home all in this one area of my home. There are stacks of books and comics under my desk where my feet should be, daisy chain power strips laid out across the floor that I trip over, my finished comic pages are in piles on top of filled sketchbooks, there’s CDs stacked in wobbly piles I need to rip and unopened mail piled under my coffee table.

What do you listen to when you work?

When I first started drawing comics it was primarily music but I moved into audio books and podcasts lately. If I can find a good audio book I’ll find myself working away for hours without even realizing it.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Just make the damn comic! Just sit down and make a comic, otherwise you never will.

How do you get into art mode?

Despite the mess that is my workspace, I do keep my easel pretty clear and clean. It’s pretty easy for me to just sit down and get to work. Otherwise I get into a ridiculous cleaning ritual and can’t start anything until I feel satisfied with the cleanliness of my drawing space.

Is your work paper or digital based?

Paper! I love inking and it’s probably what I put the most effort into. I do my lettering, halftones, colouring and everything else digital but most of the work is still done with your traditional pen and paper.

A heavily detailed panel from Laura Graves’ 666 Bistro

What’s the one thing you wish you could improve about your work?

Every time I sit down and start a new page I think to myself, what can I do better? I’m always pushing myself to improve, which can be anything from just layouts, anatomy, writing, backgrounds or something simple like staying focus and finishing the damn comic.

I suppose right now my new focus is better usage of colour to bring my linework to a whole new level.

When’s the best time to work?

I actually prefer early mornings! I typically drag myself out of bed anywhere as early as 5am and start working before the rest of the world is up. By the time my friends are awake and wanting to do things I’ve already put in anywhere from five to six hours of work.

I also love day naps.

Who do you consider to be inspirational creators in your field (classic and modern)?